In South Africa’s Sterkfontein caves, archaeologist Itumeleng Molefe brushes ancient soil in search of clues to human origins. Reopened after flooding, the caves now offer tourists rare real-time glimpses of live excavation. Part of the Cradle of Humankind, the site has yielded treasures like Little Foot, a near complete Australopithecus skeleton and the iconic Mrs Ples skull. With glowing blue lights and guided tours through limestone chambers, visitors walk the same ground as ancient ancestors. For Molefe, whose father helped discover Little Foot, unearthing the past is personal. This immersive experience reconnects science, heritage, and the public like never before.

SOLAR POWERED TRASH FIGHTER

In Panama, a unique water wheel powered trash collector named Wanda has been battling pollution by capturing garbage before it reaches the ocean. Installed by the Marea Verde Foundation, Wanda uses river currents and solar energy to gather plastics and debris from the Juan Díaz River. In only two years, it has stopped 256,000 kilogrammes of waste from littering mangroves and the sea. With Panama City’s waste problem escalating, Wanda’s impact is crucial especially as experts warn that 100,000 tons of garbage end up in the sea annually, threatening coastal ecosystems and wildlife.